Kano Pillars took a big step towards a return to CAF club competition after a four-year absence as they beat four-time Aiteo Cup champions Enyimba 4-2 in a rescheduled quarter-final fixture at the Patani Stadium in Gombe on Sunday.
The result means Pillars join five-time champions Enugu Rangers, Nasarawa United and Katsina United in the last four to do battle to determine Nigeria's flag bearer in the 2019 CAF Confederation Cup.
In Wednesday's pairings, Pillars and Katsina face off at the Agege Stadium in Lagos, while Rangers and Nasarawa will do battle at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.
In a stunning six-goal contest, Stephen Chukwude put the People's Elephant ahead in the 16th-minute for what looked like a routine victory.
Rabiu Ali pulled Pillars level in the 36th minute, and three second-half strikes from Chris Madaki, Ifeanyi Nweke and Nyima Nwagua put Sai Masu Gida comfortably in the driving seat.
Sunday Adetunji scored a late consolation goal for Enyimba, who must now turn around a deficit against Raja Casablanca in the second-leg CAF Confederation Cup semi-final to make a return to the competition next year.